Four American Red Cross volunteers from Hawaii will leave for the East Coast to help in emergency relief efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene.

 Bill Berg, Christina Bell, Renise Bayne, and Trevor Keetch will leave Thursday for Boston, where they will help distribute supplies and other items.

 Nationally since Friday, the Red Cross said it has assisted thousands of people affected by the hurricane. It has shipped thousands of kits, ice chests, tarps and other supplies for recovery efforts. 

To donate to the American Red Cross Disaster Relief effort, go to www.redcross.org, call 1-800-RED CROSS or text the word REDCROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation. Contributions may also be sent to the American Red Cross, Hawaii State Chapter, 4155 Diamond Head Road, Honolulu, HI 96816, or to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013.